two newbies looking for advice

[Patandjlyyon]

Hey guys supper excited to be getting involved in our first burn! My girlfriend and I are Australians living in bc canada. We are flying down to vegas and road tripping to the play. I have done quite a bit of research but still can't decide on weather or not to try rent a van or just a suv and camp. We will have to purchase almost everything in either vegas or reno on the way to the event. Just wondering if we should try join a camp or just wing it and see what happens?
Any suggestions on any of the above will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys

[Ratty]

Welcome. You need to read a bit on this subject there are 100's of pages written on join or not join. When you have a more specific question come back and we will give you 20 opinions. Welcome to eplaya.

[Jovankat]

Aussies! My camp is hosting Straya Day this year, an Aussies themed BBQ and the official on playa meet up for Aussies and those that love them!

I just made the event invite yesterday.

[Drawingablank]

Welcome to Eplaya.

[Wigwam]

Hi. Show up. Make your connections. You'll likely find a lifelong friendship.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[Savannah]

Welcome, Pat and Jlyyon!

Whether or not you join a camp depends on a number of factors.

* Are you skilled campers? Can you raise a tent and stake a shade?
* Do you want your time to be entirely your own?
* Are you fairly independent? Or very?
* Can you push yourself to meet people or walk up to camps at random? (Note: Opportunities will be everywhere).

If the above is true, you might like to skip a camp. On the other hand:

* Do you feel best while working as part of a team?
* Are you willing to work, and pay a camp fee? (A few camps are free, with no benefits other than social ones; others charge $75 or more for a shower/shade or a hundred--or $200-300-400--for more complex perks).
* Do you see any camps here or elsewhere (including among Australian regional contacts) that look inspiring?

Only you know the right answer for you. I lean towards not obligating oneself to a camp the first time, but I also have never minded roughing it.

You can name yourself and be a camp of two. You won't be "placed", but you can easily find a spot. Just pay attention to the map the Greeters will give you, and don't camp in reserved theme camp areas.

Re: the vehicle thing: 2-seater Cargo vans are nice for sleeping & transport, and you wouldn't need a tent. Just some shade. SUVs tend to cost more, and they're less roomy. Booooo.

[Lonesomebri]

I have gone both by myself and with a camp.

Best choice ever!

(win/win)

Generally you should be very self-sufficient to be your own camp, while if you want to hook up with a larger camp, they will want you to be very self-sufficient (not a burden).

[Zumaria]

Last year was my first year - I was flying in and feeling 'fear paralyzed' by the logistics of camping alone, bringing water, no car etc. Luckily, I was invited to join a camp and it was AWESOME and I will be doing it that way every year moving forward. I recently did open camping at a regional which absolutely had some perks, but at 'the big burn' being part of a camp is great.

Awesome for a few reasons:
1. Most camps will have a community shade area, and they bring water. The bringing of water was my biggest concern so knowing it was taken care of was WONDERFUL. Also shade. Shade is soooo good.
2. You already kind of have a family and a home. You hang out with whoever is around camp but can still come and go as you please.
3. Theme camps and activities really are what make burning man - without them, it wouldn't be very fun. Being part of a camp immediately plugs you in because they often have activities that you can get involved in, people are coming to your camp so you can meet new people and it's nice to be instantly involved

All that being said, if you join a camp that you paid $1,000 to get into and they provide everything for you ("plug and play") I will have to slap you - they are not in the spirit of the event. Join a camp that is contributing!

[Wigwam]

I would be careful *deciding* not to bring water. While the playa does provide, you should absolutely bring enough water for yourself unless you have worked out some sort of agreement with others to provide your water while you provide something for them. I have seen far too many cases of dehydration by people who *did* have water. Water, food, shelter. It's pretty much essential.

[gaminwench]

I agree with Wigwam.

Last year, MECO water deliveries to camps ran 2 or 3 days behind.
One year, our neighbors had a huge container of water that somehow got contaminated.

Bring, at the minimum, enough to cover your needs for several days, even if your camp provides water.

[LowePro]

"Most camps will have a community shade area, and they bring water"
Not sure about this last part, some camps might do communal water but I wouldn't assume that most do,check and double check that when you sign up.

I don't go with a big organized camp but several of my friends have, and the water logistics vary widely and wildly. Agree and reinforce that each person should have some water as a backup in case of emergency. Or sometimes you just can't find the damn water or it runs out. My friend at a big-centralized themecamp was looking for water in the middle of the night. Their main jug was empty and he couldn't find his camp's stash of water or beer! Travesty.

[Aurelia]

Dear Newbies

The reality is that going to the playa IS learning what you consider to be essential for your well being
my son did not think a towel or a pillow or..
but I need ..

I always go !!
and sometimes am tweaking my choices regarding my needs

Now I think I get it for me..perfect
excePt maybe..

xoA.

[Wigwam]

aserenditpity,

So true! I continually think, "Hmmm, I don't really need..." and then of course, I do. I must say, I've started to cut back on things to wear, but keep water, alcohol, warm things and food on the top of my list. I mean, it's not like people won't offer when you really need something. I stopped by the spice camp last year and got some flavored cooking oil for a communal meal I was cooking...and that really made the meal.